In August 2014 a group of people will set off on the inaugural Sydney Harbour and Coast Walk. This is a long walk that was created over time as local tracks joined, growing into networks, making it easier for people to enjoy multi-day journeys. The Walking Volunteers have been working for many years with the Sydney Coastal Councils Group and the Department of Planning & Environment (along with a number of other agencies and councils) to create a great walking track network along Sydney’s coastal region. The Walking Volunteers have not only done a lot of work on the ground, they have also produced a popular series of maps outlining the walking tracks details.

The Sydney Harbour & Coast Walk

Since the popularity of these foreshore tracks continues to grow it is now time to create a longer iconic walk for the region. The main spine of the Sydney Harbour and Coast Walk is around 315 kilometre, heading south from Barrenjoey then west to Parramatta before returning to the coast and down to Otford.

The Walk explores a great variety of different environments and offers a wonderful set of

experiences for all ages. You get to explore many precious native forests whilst also developing more personal insights into local history by visiting culturally significant sites.

Since the Walk is in or close to built-up areas you can walk inn-to-inn. You can stay in B&Bs, hostels and other accommodation on the route whilst also enjoying a cafe for many of your lunch breaks. Like a number of the popular walks around the world this one is excellent for people who want to enjoy stunning vistas, light packs, easy public transport access and all the creature comforts. The Walk is suited for people getting into bushwalking or for those wanting to share the best of Sydney with visitors in a new way.

The Walk can be completed as a series of day walks, weekend adventures or a one multi-week thru hike.

This Walk links with other walks with the Harbour to Hawkesbury Track linking it to the Great North Walk. There is also other work being done to link the Walk west to the Blue Mountains and to continue much ...text contiues on page 23...

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further across Australia. In fact Bill - one of the inaugural walkers - is a key person in the development of the Federation Track – but that is an article for another edition. It would be great to see Sydney become a popular destination for walking holidays. It would also be amazing to see this great land (once again) well established with a network of long-distance walking tracks.

The inaugural Walk

On 16 August 2014 a group of inaugural walkers (including myself) will start the Walk, including the NSW Minister for the Environment and other guests. Much of the accommodation for the inaugural walkers have kindly been gifted by the hosts along with a lot of other support provided by many other organisations.

Over a relaxing 30 days the team will explore the Walk, promoting it along the way. It would be great if you can join us for a day or two. There will be more information about our

location and progress on the Walk's website (still under construction at time of writing).

The inaugural team will also be taking this opportunity to consider the Walk and how we may be able to improve the overall experience for fellow walkers. It should be a fun trip that helps not only improve the Walk but encourage many others to get out and explore the great walking opportunities all around.

The future of the Walk

It is hoped that this walking route will be refined and become an iconic walk for locals and people visiting Sydney. There will always be more work to do such as improving the ease of navigation, providing information to better equip walkers and general promotion. My hope for this walk is that when people think of Sydney in the future, the idea of exploring these native landscapes on foot will be front of mind.

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